fbpx

Category: prenatal

Posted on

3rd Trimester! Things I’m loving these days.

“Pregnancy is a process, that invites you to surrender to the unseen force behind all life”

Well, it’s here–we’re in the homestretch. It happened fast, and now I know the final weeks may fly by even more. I’m really trying to enjoy all the moments, and live this pregnancy intentionally—so much about it has been a total gift, surprise, journey in trust, and I can’t even begin to tell you how my heart has been transforming. It’s the miracle that every time, love multiples. And stretches us, yes, beyond our comfort zones, but it’s there that we truly begin to live.

I’m journaling a lot, enjoying getting to know baby as he kicks his way into my life more and more each day 🙂 Taking time to slow down and be still and marvel at all of it…which pregnancy brings out of me (surprisingly enough!). The holidays are looming, but I know this year will be simpler and more cozy, combined with the nesting, and I’m just really pumped about what the next 12 weeks will bring, for me, and for all of us.

The fact that it’s my easiest pregnancy by far (so far) is helpful, but I also know that I have some practice in doing what’s needed to make sure baby and I are happy and healthy…and I wanted to share a few of my current favorites, knowing that many wonderful moms I know are due sometime right after me, in spring of 2019.

I hope this is a helpful roundup–and feel free to share with a pregnant friend if you think she’d like it.

As a mom of 4, one of the most important aspects of this time is maintaining my energy levels and using my energy on the right things! As any mom will tell you, we can get laser focused on nesting and a bunch of projects related to prepping for baby, and in this case, it’s been a lot of setting up my business structures and flow (and hopefully this space) to work well during my time focusing on baby, and that’s been an exciting and welcome endeavor. Thank goodness for my amazing husband, support crew, and team. And my kids, for putting up with my tidying impulses (neat freak is tied to hormones for me)…our home is feeling cozy, and we’re ready for a winter welcoming the next one into the mix.

People often ask me: so how do you stay so energized in pregnancy?

Answer…like most things in life, it’s not just any one thing. And having a life and balance that you love (in terms of work/life/family/rhythms etc) certainly helps in bringing that joy and energy to everyday.

Anyway, sharing a few things that I’m loving right now, and that are helping me stay strong, energized and happy as we enter the final stage of this beautiful thing called pregnancy.

Daily Habits

Some of you have seen my daily routines/morning flow videos and posts on IG-TV, and others haven’t. Some of the habits I decided to embrace this pregnancy and that have been serving me well:

*Decaf lifestyle…with the exception of this killer cinnamon tea that I’m linking below for you…MUST get. I’ve been trying to avoid full caffeine drinks, and that means decaf coffee, some lighter caffeinated tea, etc. But let me tell you, sleep is one of the most important things for feeling good and powering through a pregnancy (especially with other small kids around) so cutting the caffeine cycle can really help, as hard as it might feel. It won’t serve you that much in postpartum anyway, so now’s a good time to cut back. I instead drink and SWEAR by this super energizing tea, in pomegranate, often mixed with seltzer. It’s a powerful midday boost, with amino acids for brain power, and I’ve gotten other pregnant mommas hooked on it, they tell me it helps them so much. Cheers!!

*Daily stretching/yoga…aiming for 20 minutes in the morning, after tea and prayer time and toddler snuggles…but even 10 minutes helps my body and my mind so much. In the evening, I’ll aim for another 15 but often it’s just restorative stuff–whatever needs to be stretched, child’s pose, legs up the wall, pigeon pose and other ones that help counter-act the effects of the busy days. Maybe I’ll do another post with my favorites if there’s interest (comment if you’d like to see that);) If you’re new to pre-natal yoga, and want to start…I like these.

*Daily walks. I walk 2 miles per day about 4-5/week. The other days I am either hiking with the family (for weekend movement), or at the gym doing weights and treadmill or elliptical. Moving every day is not a luxury, it’s a necessity for pregnancy. I notice the difference in even just 1-2 days if I don’t do a long walk, I’m stiffer, more sore, everything feels tight, and there’s so many reasons to believe that walking and natural movement help us in staying strong and preparing for a wonderful delivery and recovery. In my experience coaching moms, the biggest things moms can do for their mindset, their confidence, stamina, and their ability to jump into a postpartum fitness routine, and even preventing some of the mood challenges of the 3rd trimester and postpartum (PPD), staying fit in pregnancy is of top priority. See more about my thoughts on running while pregnant here…and share your thoughts about your favorite types of workouts to do while pregnant! I also love barre for another low impact but high results pregnancy workout, and of course, plyometrics and yoga and other things, with the approval of your doctor.

*Every Mother. I LOVE the prepare program. 3 words, Mommas: There’s. An. App. (No excuses). She taught me how to move properly, preventing injury and healing a core strained from big babies, and with the help of my physical therapist, I’ve had an entirely different experience of core strength and posture and balance in this pregnancy than with my other ones…it’s been a game changer. So many women suffer from Diasistis Recti, and even moms who don’t may feel like their core will never feel balanced and strong in the same way again— and I believe that with this program, DR and core injury can be prevented the majority of the time from ever occurring (and we prefer prevention right?:)) And Leah’s recovery program is fantastic as well, so you’re ready to go with that as soon as you’re cleared after birth. I’m not affiliated with them in any way yet (I’m considering being a coach in future), this is just my fan review (and you can read my featured member story soon on their site).

Books I’m loving:

I needed this book. It’s like Ina May, but for Catholics. Just inspirational, wise, not over bearing or judgmental, just some helpful reflections to really enter the right state of mind for welcoming and appreciating labor for what it is. I have to say, wish I’d had it around to read with my first…but here it is and you can enjoy it too if it looks valuable.

AND, since I’m heading into sons, plural, I’m reading this one that my mom gave me…yay mom.

And I’m always reading something inspirational/non-fiction for my coaching life, so currently, finishing the year strong with my influencers book club with this one.

SO GOOD. What we read in the final trimester (and watch) can really affect us–so think about it, this may not be the moment to start that intense tear-jerker fiction series or to watch a bunch of intense movies/TV. Your brain and everything is being re-wired to be a protective, nurturing (and nurtured) space for babe. Understanding that has helped me immensely in the final weeks. Same goes for birth stories….maybe lots of folks will want to share their “horror stories” or “best ever birth” stories—honor your intuition and if you don’t think those will help you right now, politely explain so.

Styling the bump.

At this point, you’ve probably all seen how much I LOVE, live in, and rave about Blanqi. These support tanks and leggings came into my life in my 2nd pregnancy and were a game changer. The tanks work great styled under piece (at the time, it was office clothes, now it’s good ol’ maternity jeans). They allowed me to comfortably run and workout feeling support until 38 weeks pregnant with my Corinne…and I’ve used them ever since. This year,  #blanqigirls came out with a sport specific legging, and I’m obsessed. It’s designed with momma’s body and health in mind, compression in the lower legs/calves, more relaxed up above, a super sleek and supportive belly band, it’s just juicy, I wear it to the gym, on runs, daily walks, and just about everywhere else. It’s fun that I know the amazing mommas who started the brand too–they are super inspiring #bossbabes who’ve created a powerful brand–it’s awesome to support them while (literally) supporting our backs and bumps!

And Stitch Fix! Nothing like not wanting to go shopping while pregnant–but finding that every week, things fit differently and new stylish pieces are an absolute must, especially in the final trimester, to continue feeling good and enjoying rocking pregnancy 😉 You’re a posterboard for motherhood, and hopefully a joyful one at that, so might as well look the part! That’s my realization, after years of not wanting to buy new things for pregnancy, it’s just so good to have a few new pieces and things that fit well and are flattering. So, the way it works is, they send you a box, and you get to decide what to keep and what to send back. And believe me, the ease of having a personal stylist do it for you is welcome always, but especially appreciated in pregnancy and postpartum. Effortless, and very little risk. Check it out here with my referral code for $25 off your first box–do it. You won’t regret it 🙂  I’m wearing a reversible vest and maroon sweater from stitch in the top photo 😉

Note about final trimester–definitely shoe shop. Get some that are super comfy, supportive for arches, FLAT, natural if possible, TOMS are great, but shop a size up, just embracing the fact that for the moment, your feet might be running a bit bigger/wider. There is nothing worse than trying to squeeze pregnant feet into shoes that are our normal size. Nothing about us is normal right now…and it’s good to know that you’ll be back in those soon, but get something super helpful that you enjoy moving and walking in daily in the final weeks. For me, that’s TOMS, and this year, my super comfy fur lined boots that are a bit big on me, sized up for boot socks. My last pregnancy, I got some super stylish grey sneakers for the final trimester that I’ve ended up wearing SO much, in all seasons, and they were one of the best purchases from that time. Feeling good is not a luxury, it’s important right now.

Self-care things I’m enjoying:

Epsom salt/magnesium baths–2-3 times per week. These are SO good for our nervous system, balancing out hormones, promoting deep sleep and rest/recovery for aching muscles, and so much more. Our magnesium needs go through the roof in pregnancy, and while I also take a nightly Cal-Mag supplement that I swear by, this is another great way to absorb the magnesium in the skin. Make sure the bath isn’t too steamy, and enjoy with candles, tea, a good book, and some quiet time.

Belly rubs: In addition to pre-natal massage–which I LOVE, doing nightly belly rubs with a shea butter like this one (and supplementing vitamin E) can greatly reduce chances of stretch marks on the belly. I’m 3 for 3 with avoiding those (oh, and eating lots of avocados and nuts helps too!)–and hoping that I can keep it that way for a 4th 😉 Feels so good at the end of a long day, and as part of my yoga/stretching and night time rituals. Grab your shea butter spa cream here. It’s 100% clean guarantee, like the rest of our youth skincare line–no parabens or any of that icky stuff to worry about for you and baby–as part of your total non-toxic lifestyle upgrade. Or get your partner to do a full body massage with this stuff–you’ll be in heaven. The smell and texture is just perfect, my body/hands crave it in the winter.

Nightly legs up the wall/restorative yoga pose. This could very well change your late pregnancy (and a few of the tools below) if you decide to try it. I discovered it with my first, and it’s such a perfect combination of rest, and healing/restoring/undoing the day (literally, by removing the excess blood flow/fluid built up by days on our feet, running around). I do it most evenings, and that, combined with the mag baths, is the perfect transition from the busy-ness of the day, to the tranquility and peaceful state that I aim for in the evenings (when 2 out of the 3 at least are sleeping ;)) You just need a wall, and a comfy pillow to support your head/spine if needed. Enjoy, and feel the difference!

And…extra but oh-so-essential for a thriving pregnancy.

Physical Therapy for Pelvis/Back. I love Melissa, I’ve been going to her for years (how amazing that she’s located in my midwives’ office–talk about caring for moms holistically!), she makes me feel amazing and keeps me active at high levels in pregnancy and postpartum. Everyone needs to find themselves a good pelvic physical therapist (different from chiropractor, which are great, but less able to really work these areas that mommas need most).

Reflexology–this is my absolute treat evening (just had one tonight)–sneaking away to tea and reflexology with Pippa who’s become a dear friend over a year of caring for me–reflexology reminds us of just how deeply mind, body, and spirit are connected–when we begin healing one aspect, the other ones are healed as well…it’s an incredible thing, and awesome for reducing nausea in early and late pregnancy, prepping for a quick and smooth delivery, and much more. She also balanced my hormones very effectively in postpartum and to prepare/conceive this little guy–such an amazing lady–search around and find a true healer (acupuncture is also amazing, and I’ve loved that in past pregnancies).

Prenatal Massage (a sometimes splurge in the final weeks/months)…have you heard of myscofascial release? Well with my 3rd, I had some life changing massage experiences with Suzu, who’s trained to treat mommas, and boy is she good. She teaches us to do self-massage that’s healing for the uterus and all internal organs, helps so much in the final weeks and in prepping for birth. I imagine there’s someone great at this in your area…this could be a game changer for you too!

Caring for self deeply is caring for baby, as our thriving is intertwined in these final weeks. It’s a beautiful thing.

Nutrition Tools for 3rd Trimester/Home Stretch

You all know this is my jam. I’ve made a business and lifestyle out of health coaching, nutrition partnership and LOVE seeing mommas rock pregnancy, postpartum and all things family life with these tools. Here’s some of my favorites that I’m using/can’t imagine life without right now.

This tea. Well this tea is awesome, I’ll start drinking it daily around week 32, and it’s got red raspberry leaf, nettles, chamomile and rosehips. Great for toning the uterus and preparing for labor. I’ll also start EPO (Evening Primrose oil) around 34 weeks and go crazy with that for prepping cervix to soften and dilate.

Dates. You might have seen my recent post on pregnancy snacking, with a super yummy dates and almond butter combo, that’s to die for.  I’ll have a handful of dates every day for the final weeks; they are known for their properties of making labor easier—how they can prove this is fascinating and beyond my scope, but it’s been studied and seems to hold up. Pretty amazing, the power of nutrition when harnessed to our specific needs.

And, of course, you’ve heard me swear by the pre-natal strip (never too late to start taking it, if you feel this might be the moment)…the link here includes many testimonials from midwives (rave reviews) and other moms who’ve used it for super healthy pregnancies, deliveries and babies. I have always gotten complimented on my gorgeous placentas (abnormally huge and healthy, “textbook” I’ve been told)–with the 2 pregnancies I had using these supports. We all want the best we can do for our babies in the womb, and this little strip just might be it. Plus, the probiotic helps mommas so much (no acid reflux please), and it’s helped several of my anemic friends to resolve their iron deficiencies in pregnancy too!

This GLA complex is for hormonal balance. Helps me tremendously in the final weeks, when our hormones can send moods through the wringer, and balancing out appetite, nausea, etc. I also find that building it up in my system before birth is helpful and key for a smoother postpartum, with less mood swings, and no signs of PPD (which I had bouts of with my first, before I discovered this). It’s something every momma will want to have around for those days after birth.

Vitamin E. Miracle working for avoiding varicose veins, and keeping skin healthy supple and strong. Take it orally, it works wonders.

Alfalfa. This, plus the yoga pose mentioned earlier, are my 2 favorite antidotes to the inevitable 3rd trimester ankle swelling/bloating/water retention. Believe me, with alfalfa in your 3rd trimester, you can eliminate that discomfort almost completely (And staying hydrated of course!) and bonus that it helps with preparing for lactation, and a balanced and fantastic milk supply (think, no engorgement, no lack of milk, just balanced, has been my experience). If you do one thing differently in pregnancy–try this for your 3rd trimester…!

Pineapple—pineapple is known for toning the uterus/cervix and helping with a smooth labor and delivery. I adore snacking on it, so I’ll have lots of it in the coming weeks.

And of course, dark chocolate;) Continuing to eat intuitively, locally, colorfully and enjoying all the moments. This little guy has been so good to me, and I’m just about ready to meet him…after we enjoy our beautiful last holiday season as a family of 5!

Hugs to all the pregnant mommas reading this. You’re amazing and deserve to have a fantastic pregnancy experience. I’m here to support in anyway I can. Reach out!💋

Posted on

Yoga with kids: Prepare to get flexible ;)

Over 8 years of having kids, and having fitness as a priority in that process, yoga has shaped my experience of motherhood. Starting with my first prenatal yoga class that I went to weekly on Thursday nights—leaving my stressful workplace early with a grin and rushing on the subway from Manhattan to a YMCA in Brooklyn—my experience of yoga has also been shaped by mothering.

It is as a mother that I have experienced how yoga fits into my everyday and adds value to it.

We All Need a Combination of High Impact and Low Impact Activities

I’ve always been more of an intense athlete—soccer my whole life, competitive swimming and tennis in high school, and more recently, HIIT workouts and distance running as my go-to exercise methods.

But, the reality of life and especially mothering, is that our bodies need a combination of high and low impact activities to be at their best. For every mile that I run, stretching and restorative/muscle relaxing and rebuilding becomes important. And for overall stress relief, low impact workouts have been proven to be more effective at lowering cortisol levels, preventing adrenal fatigue and failure (the real, very present BURNOUT that I see so many moms on the verge of, and have personal experience with navigating).

Add to that the changes that each pregnancy works on the body, the natural recovery and rebuilding time in postpartum, and I’ve found that I need to have a fitness practice that I can keep with me for all of those moments and seasons of life, providing consistency and routine.

For all these reasons, I am continually led back to yoga (I mean this loosely as in the postures I’ve learned as well as stretching of all kinds) as a positive and important part of my daily routines and overall lifestyle. It’s sort of one of my secret weapons for getting through the long days in an energized, calm and grounded fashion (no, I’m by no means perfect…)….and some days my kids at 6pm will hear me saying—“I’m going out to my yoga porch for a moment” (And yes they often follow me out there)–which is my way of coping and giving myself the permission to re-center and come back into their midst closer to my best self…

But yoga has not just been my routine, it has become a natural part of our family life and kid life as well.

How Yoga/mindful movement Practice Has Shaped My Kids

When having kids and encouraging them to build fitness habits and bodily awareness and appreciation, we’ve done a lot of the typical things: swimming, ballet, gymnastics, running (love family race events!) and dabbled in soccer (the girls haven’t taken to it but something tells me that it may be Ambrose’ sport of choice).

However, since they also see me, often, at home, building in time for my own workouts, if I can’t make it to the gym—-and I DO love showing them that the habits can begin at home, yoga has become a natural fit for something playful, relaxing, that we can do together and stretch ourselves in, without being rushed through a workout.

I remember when Corinne was an infant and I’d be doing lots of HIIT videos and pilates/barre videos, she’d want to hang on me, and be part of it all, and I’d do almost half the workout holding her in various positions or incorporating her in. It got more challenging the heftier she got. Can any other moms relate?

When she was a toddler and able to follow along, she’d boss me if I wasn’t going hard or fast enough, and participate…my mini-me was hard-wired to love movement, and to need it—as I do—for her daily mood and behavior/attitude.

Just ask my husband (and why he always makes sure I get time to work-out during the weekend, as needed): I’m a grouchier me if I’m not able to stay physically active, in some form.  And yes for kids, it’s built into a lot of their play and playground time, which I’m a huge fan of, but it also may need to be channeled more directly and specifically with certain kids, as we’ve found we need to do with Corinne.

Using Movement to Help with the Tough Developmental Phases

With Corinne, over the past 2 years—as we’ve navigated with her the challenging developmental phases of a BIG, strong personality going through toddler years, pre-school, and up until now—giving her stretching, playful movement tools and opportunities has actually helped our mother-daughter relationship, and these challenging growing phases, immensely.

Sometimes when we’re in a heated power struggle about something, for example, putting on shoes or what’s for the next meal (I’m not making this up), I’ll turn to yoga as an calming outlet for both of us. Or if she’s mad at me and trying to calm down, I’ll suggest, “Hey, let’s go do some yoga together,” and her frown will turn upside down. I know right away that she’s going to guide me through the poses and coach me, making sure I’m doing it the right way…(Oh, I can’t express to you how much she reminds me of myself :0).

We’ll have reconnecting or “make-up” yoga sessions, where she will literally (as she always has)—-want to climb on top of me, do poses on my back, wrestle and be playful, and she’s such a physical kid that this is part of her love language—quality physical time together.

So over the past 2+ years, following these cues from my mini-me, I’ve made it more of a habit to incorporate the kids into my yoga practice, as a great way for them to get time with me, to learn new things, move their bodies, and for me to benefit from the session as well (in whatever ways I can: if I need my own alone time for restorative/uninterrupted flow,  I’ll make sure I get that too with another yoga session at another time of day).

You’re going to have to embrace a flexible mindset when it comes to your workout “goals” and what the kids will want to actually do, but I find when it’s playful, experimental, and you’re encouraging them to just try new things and challenge their own physical awareness and movement, the benefits will be innumerable, and you’ll enjoy knowing that every day will look a little different, but you’ll see their grins throughout the process.

So…How Early Can They Start?

In terms of how early you can start kids with yoga, I’ve been doing yoga with them in my bellies, and by 9-10 months they are usually able to enjoy the aerial poses with you (but sometimes in the early days I just do it during baby naps for simplicity and focus on the toddler).

By one and a half, Ambrose was very aware of being part of my yoga practice and would be yelling “mommy yoga” when he saw me preparing for it, just like he cheered me on and welcomed me home with appreciation after “mommy run!” (followed by, “mommy, sweaty…!” when I hug him).

By this age, he was doing active poses with me, one-legged downward dog being his favorite (go-to) pose of choice. By two or three years old, they can really follow some of the book prompts that teach them to do simple flows from one basic pose to the next. Corinne loves these (linked below).

And last month, after doing a lot of yoga in the summer out in the yard on blankets, we set up our yoga porch, which allows us to have this dedicated space that encourages the habit, and allows us to make sure we’re inspired to do something daily—both myself and the kids. When I got them their own mats, they were thrilled, because frankly those aren’t super easy to share, and it gave them a sense of involvement they hadn’t had before.

Now, they will bring their friends out to the yoga porch and lead sessions on rainy afternoons (and by lead, I mean, Corinne will yell at her class to try these challenging wheel poses, etc and get mad at them if they don’t do them…so we do need to work on her teacher finesse, and class management skills).

Keeping it fun, forming healthy habits

It made my heart so happy in that moment, to see that she understands this as something she loves, is good at, and it’s good for her (and others)…and I hope that these habits continue to serve all my kids, throughout life. Any serious athlete will tell you the importance of stretching/limberness and healing the body through mindful movement—connecting mind and body.

Kids, like all of us, face a lot of stress and fast-paced days, and I love knowing that a yoga practice can help set them up to be aware of their breath and heart-beat, to spend time in gratitude for their healthy bodies, minds and spirits, and even lead them into prayer, as it does for me.

For those of you looking for a more directly religious/Christian based stretching/workout regimen, check out Soul Core and Pietra Fitness.

This fall, I’ve solidified a morning routine that works for this phase, and that I love. We get the girls fed, lunches made, chat with them, and they’re out the door to school with dad as the first thing, since they have to be out early. I don’t push myself with early wake up times when I’m pregnant (if it happens by accident, great), and then from 8-9 am, I give myself (and Ambrose) time for a leisurely tea, prayer time, yoga and stretching session—sometimes following a yoga flow, and other times just doing my own practice that fits with the needs of my ever-changing pregnant body. This is my key self-care time before I go into business owner momma mode, and the juggling of texts/social/emails/kids/lovely outings, and all that goes into the day. Needless to say, I’ve started to get very protective of this (unplugged), calm morning time, and find that it sets up the tone for the rest of the day and how I can bring my best self to the table–with a spirit of service and joy. 

I always do my prayer and journaling for the day along with this (and affirmations/gratitude practice), and they flow together beautifully. For me, discovering a daily yoga practice is my way of giving thanks for my body, and LIVING gratitude for it with movement that is also calming, grounding and prayerful.

Ambrose loves doing his yoga poses alongside me for a few minutes, then he will often let his interest wander to his trucks, or his driveway toys, and he’s off and running. But those moments of connection, and on rainy mornings he’s bouncing around the yoga porch, and beautiful and meaningful for me, even as I feel his little brother stretching and kicking within me as we do a “happy baby” pose together or he climbs on my back when I’m in pigeon or down dog pose.

COMING SOON: Another More Complete Morning Routines Post (see my IG TV episode on it for starters, and to share your thoughts on ideal mornings–I’d LOVE your input)

Resources for Starting Out Doing YOGA With Your Kids

Some tips and resources:

*Find a good time of day that is a time when they maybe need a grounding experience, but also are calm enough to focus well. For some families, mornings might work well. I’m going to try to start a mini session with them before the rush for school.

Sometimes, at 5pm—our witching hour around here after school, is when we go out to our yoga porch together and I show them a pose or 2, nothing crazy, but bringing new things into their awareness is very fun for them.

*Grab these kids mats from GAIM yoga. I love the thickness and durability of their adult mats, and while the toddler size mats are a little thinner, they are excellent quality and fun designs. I have gotten the kids size mats and stayed away from the true toddler size, as they will outgrow those faster, but either way, your little one will love having their mat rolled up next to yours, or laid out ready for them at any moment.

*Pick the right environment, minimize distractions. In the dead of winter, the living room is the best spot, so we put the mats out there (once it’s tidied) and light candles or do something to help them focus in on it. In the summer, a yard or garden could lend itself to the right mood, and chances are kids will want to be outside with you, anyway.

*There are some great videos for yoga with kids, although I would also suggest keeping it flexible, my kids don’t always want to watch a video/focus their attention there when we’re already setting up the poses and having a good connection—I think it’s about reading into their needs and trying different things. I’ve had better success with cute yoga books for kids, that we can have with us and reference, pose by pose, for inspiration, but that isn’t taking their attention or causing a distraction.

Cosmic Kids Yoga is a great starting point if you want to use videos to gain confidence and get the little ones into a routine with it. I just encourage you to do yoga outside/in fresh air, and unplugged as much as possible, as it will change their experience of it (and yours) dramatically.

Here’s some of the books I recommend–can get at the library or on amazon.

Yoga Bear: simple animal poses (and related books in the series)

Yoga Frog

The yoga zoo adventure

*For your adolescent, or teen, it might serve you well to do yoga for beginner videos with them, and let them gain confidence following someone else’ lead. A great resource, one that I personally use most often, is www.yogawithadriene.com…she has TONS of free yoga flows on you tube, for everything from 15 min morning flow, to hour long practices based on certain needs—like relaxation, anxiety, weight loss, low back pain, etc.

That’s it folks, enjoy this bonus content/reflections on how stretching and yoga fits in well with a balanced life (just one of my many tangents that my editor aka sister puts up with from me here:)—and what a gift to give that awareness to your kids early on in life.

Additionally, if you want to learn more about what we do with our other healthy kids practices, check out the snacks and recipes on the blog, and our tips for building a strong nutritional foundation for these little bodies and their many needs.

I’d love to hear: did this inspire you in your practice, or beginning yoga with kids? What are your stories and experiences from your own homes and families? I love the conversations that develop from this.

Posted on

9/23 Race Recap, and Reflections on Running while pregnant

This shouldn’t have to be said, but please keep in mind this is not to be construed as medical advice, and your doctor must be consulted before starting or changing a fitness routine while pregnant. There are certain cases like placenta previa where running can be very harmful to baby, so keep that in mind when evaluating–each of us and our unique pregnancies—what will be best for you.

So, this is a race recap, but more than that, an overview of my experiences and philosophy about running and pregnancy, honed over 8 years of enjoying both—and often at the same time 🙂

Quick race recap: we cheered on the kids in their fun run, and 2 of the kids in our group actually came away with prizes! They were so proud and so were we. When we took them to a nearby playground with some wonderful young babysitter friends, we realized that most likely the playground was on the course and we’d see them–that made me very happy.

It was a nice small race, based out of the town center of Wilton, and raising money for cancer research for children via Circle of Care. It was moving to start the race with a few words from the father of a local girl battling a brain tumor. It helps shift all of it into perspective, and there was a moving sign on the course while we ran — Cancer is Hard, Running is Easy.

I have to say that in our group we had some great races–2 PRs, and a 2nd place win overall from my friend Samantha. I had put a small bug in her ear that she had a good chance of winning, but coming off of an injury, we didn’t know how things would go, and for both of us, and the others running with us (3 couples in total) it was all about having fun, doing our best, and not injuring ourselves:)

I loved running with my buddy Mary. We’ve done runs together for going on 9 years, in Brooklyn, pushing jogging strollers, while pregnant and more…one of my brags about her running while pregnant is below. The miles passed quickly and at the very end before the turnaround, we passed our kids playing at the playground with their babysitters…seeing them jumping up and down with excitement, cheering for us, and these race days as truly family event where everyone can participate, is always one of my favorite parts about running.

I know I always talk to my girls and try to model for them, the joy and importance of moving, and challenging ourselves in these settings…and they certainly have caught the running bug. One of the girls, my friend’s daughter, came out of the playground and ran the last ⅓ mile with us! I know that next year, our older ones can probably run a full 5k with us, with some training/prep, so that’s a super fun thought, to have a sport we will all continue to love. I ran faster than I had thought I would,without pushing myself, and felt great–which is the main goal. It was an overall amazing day: a fun small race, thoughtfully coordinated, and committed friends just made it a fantastic experience.

I actually didn’t run my first pregnancy…and I somewhat wish I had seen a post like this or some experienced runner momma friends to turn to at the time for perspective. See, I had been a somewhat regular jogger, pretty casual (we loved running the 3 mile Prospect Park loop in Brooklyn, which was right across the street from our apartment).

I remember trying to run at like 8 weeks pregnant or so with Emma. I got less than 1/2 a mile and was so sure I was going to throw up. I walked, and my stomach settled. I walked miles and miles and miles that pregnancy, but I didn’t really get up the courage to run again. I wish someone might have told me–it gets easier in the 2nd trimester…and to try again…but in any case, I found myself completely in a pre-natal yoga groove instead for the 2nd half of the pregnancy, and that was wonderful to balance out my 60 hour stress filled work weeks at the time…and to continue falling in love with my pregnant body and my little growing daughter.

As anyone can tell you, the first pregnancy is such a mix of daily emotions and the full range of feelings as you experience your body literally creating space and making room to healthily grow another, and you’re wondering what is “normal.” Iit turns out there’s a wide range to experiences of normal in pregnancy!

In my postpartum period with Emma, again, I was still fitting in miles of walking per day thanks to our city life, but my body wasn’t really in the running groove (I hadn’t run in over a year by the time she was 9 months). My energy levels were whacky, stress levels were high, with a demanding job and juggling the mothering learning curve.

Right at this tough point in my health journey is when I found (by lucky accident), my brand partner and began a lifestyle upgrade, which within 30 days led me to feel this surge of energy and desire to exercise! I added pilates back in and got stronger. I got out my running shoes and was back at it.

By the time Emma was 1.5 years old, and my life had begun changing dramatically (more here), I set a goal…to run my first half marathon. This was in July. I had just started a new job and life was crazy but sometimes those are the moments to just carve out a goal and find the time. In October I ran my first half, in DC, a beautiful course right along the Potomac river, and a crummy day–cold and rainy…but the finish line was there waiting for me, and it felt SOOO good to accomplish that.

Later that month, Corinne was conceived and this time, I decided since I was in decent shape, to keep running in the equation during my pregnancy. The exhaustion and evening sickness of the first 8 weeks kept me from running, but after that (maybe 10 weeks) I was back at it. I’d get stares and the occasional whistle as I passed people in the evenings with a growing bump in the 2nd trimester, running that same loop of Prospect Park. I knew I had the right nutritional foundation, and extra training support tools, to make this positive for baby and I, and I will never forget the runner’s high accompanied with–“I’m doing this with a little buddy!” excitement–that went with those runs.

I managed to keep that up (at least once a week) until about 34 weeks, then the ligament pressure and enormous weight of my sweet, darling almost 10 lb baby were just too much for me. Instead, I went to the gym, started biking and hired a personal trainer for the final 6 weeks (yes, he thought I was nuts, but it was fun). Turns out I was carrying an enormous baby (on my small frame), so that certainly did a number on my ligaments and pelvis, not to mention the birth…but oh how we love our kids all the more for it.

Well, the difference with postpartum running was huge with Corinne. Because I’d been in the habit all through the pregnancy, it just felt right to lace on my shoes at 10 weeks postpartum and run a few miles in the park, with Corinne in the jogger, and while Joel had Emma at the playground. So for those of you who feel that the postpartum fitness habits are hard, I think paving the way with a strong pre-natal fitness plan makes a huge difference–your muscles remember and are prepared for diving back in, even if there’s a 12 week break between week 34 of pregnancy, and your 6 week postpartum exercise approval appt.

Of course, all this must be read in the context of your own individual needs, pregnancy history, and your fitness level before pregnancy.

I do believe, with a doctor’s approval, anyone, even somewhat beginner runners, benefit from getting out there and giving it a go just to experience it. You know what, you may end up loving it! Or at least keeping it as part of your pregnancy fitness plan, along with yoga, stretching, light strength training, low impact workouts like the elliptical, and core work (you’re going to want to do more of that to ensure you’re not injuring your core while running), and when necessary, chiropractic, pelvic/core PT and good pre-natal massage (oh yes, so necessary).

If you want more information about healthy pre-natal and postpartum life, I highly recommend this amazing resource, Every Mother. I so wish I had known about it in my first 3 pregnancies, it’s helped me tons with postpartum and I’m modifying it for this pregnancy, in conjunction with my amazing and life-changing PT, Melissa. Some folks swear by chiropractic, and prenatal mysofascial massage can be hugely helpful, just embrace the fact that you’re going to need that extra support team, and to know where to turn when things just don’t feel right. I don’t believe that low back pain, poor core and pelvic function are just part of the equation of motherhood. Absolutely not. It’s true that we need stellar supplementation, wise hydration and prep, lots of stretching/yoga and these extra tools mentioned above when staying active in pregnancy, but it’s just so worth it, in so many ways.

With my 3rd pregnancy, Ambrose, I didn’t run much the first trimester, but with the surge of energy and focus in 2nd Tri, set a goal to run a race. I did a 5 mile (8K) in Wildwood in late Spring, and had a blast. I didn’t push myself, and the distance was a comfortable one for me, but at least got me out training and having something to look forward to! Crossing the finish line, I knew I had all the support in the world from up above, and from my little guy, we did it and it was such an experience of “teamwork.”

I have amazing runner momma friends–I have to brag on them, and give you that context that I wish someone had given me. I have one friend who completed a half marathon 6 months pregnant (her standard distance was marathon, but she kept her time pretty fast and just cruised through), and another friend who’d set a big goal of the Chicago marathon but then found out she was expecting, and kept her goal–she trained smart and safe, never overly pushed herself, and completed the Chi town marathon when she was in her 2nd trimester. How incredible is that??

Here’s some other reasons why it’s such a great idea to incorporate running into your prenatal health plan.

They’ve done research on baby’s brain development, and shown that increased blood flow from momma, such as what happens in light and moderate exercise, stimulates and improves baby’s brain development!

Additionally, so much of the mood disorders we hear about, PPD and PPA and the like, can actually begin to surface in the final trimester of pregnancy. Hormones are whacky and there are so many things at play, but regular exercise is one the ways momma can combat these mood swings, and to bring some good ol’ exercise-induced oxytocin into her system, for her sake as well as baby’s.

Of course, low impact workouts and walking up to several miles daily can also bring in some of these benefits, so do what works for you. As mentioned before, it can help with body image challenges in pregnancy, and in preparing for a strong birth, a healthy recovery, and a strong postpartum routine.

When postpartum with Ambrose (my 3rd), I set an ambitious goal of running a half marathon 6 months after he was born. Getting out to run in those early days was a delicate balance of timing around his naps, hoping that I wasn’t too tired, and being smart about my pacing and core recovery. I will never forget how much I loved feeling like MYSELF again on those runs, even when I was just slowly plodding along, embracing the process as the miles got easier, being out in the fresh air (of the early new year), and having that mental space to myself.

It was a total game changer for those often challenging first months of postpartum life..I know it helped with preventing some of the natural baby blues that can come into play for me combined with inactivity and being stuck in the house–and it was made possible because I had kept up the habit until about 34 weeks in that pregnancy as well.

And here’s a fun secret, that athletes know. When you build your muscles through running with the extra weight, and then you lose 30-40 lbs quickly due to birth and the following restabilization of your body weight, you put your body at a great advantage of increasing performance. Your lung capacity, your stamina, all of it is greater, post-pregnancy. Some of my fastest miles ever have been in those postpartum cycles…and it’s been so rewarding to be able to complete half marathon training cycles between each pregnancy, knowing that the baseline of fitness/endurance I’m building is serving me and my little one well for a healthy, strong and balanced pregnancy.

SO if you’re thinking that maybe pregnant running, or postpartum running, are for you, I hope this little glimpse into my experience has helped you to reflect on what you want. And yes, some folks will judge and question it, but if you and your doctor/midwife are confident in it, go for it! And enjoy #runningfor2

This little guy has been my best running buddy so far. I never felt off or funky when running in my first trimester (moderate amounts for me–2-3 miles, several times per week), and to be honest, I think he was several days in existence when I ran my spring half marathon, so this fall fun-run would actually be his second race…but this time it’s also the latest I’ve raced (23 weeks) and I’m just so grateful…for the support–literal support from Blanqi (GAMECHANGER, ladies!), from my husband who ran with me even though he doesn’t enjoy running that much, and my friends who came from all over to run with us on this gorgeous fall day. I plan to run until 30 weeks (to give my ligaments a break and focus on yoga and good positioning for this babe, we already do, and will continue to do tons of walking), but we’ll take it one week at a time, and that’s a great way to approach things.

It may be a little while before I’m “racing” again, but I’ll enjoy my pregnancy runs as long as it feels good, and continue loving the process of growing and welcoming this little guy into the world. Someday, at his sporting events, I’ll embarrass him by telling him he was competing with me before he was born 🙂

Thanks for reading to the end–share your own stories of pregnancy running or fitness habits, I’d love to hear! There’s so many beautiful ways to celebrate the strength and endurance that we build in motherhood, and I think pregnancy is a wonderful phase to look at as an opportunity to try new things and remain flexible and strong, rather than as a handicap or physical disability.

Posted on

Pregnancy Snacking–a guide ;)

*Obviously nothing in this post should be construed as medical advice–check with your doctor before making dietary or fitness changes while pregnant* 🙂

So…what do pregnant ladies snack on? Inquiring minds want to know.

Husbands will tell you: pickles and icecream, especially the exotic and expensive kind (sought after at 10pm at night, of course. Oh, true love.)

As I’m smack in the middle of my 4th pregnancy, I do have some experience in these things…I remember the intensity of cravings with my first child…and living in ethnic take-out food central in Park Slope, Brooklyn, with literally 3 markets/stores on our block, made it easy to chase the cravings.

Every pregnancy is different, and everyone eats differently. It’s a beautiful example of #intuitiveeating (which I embrace as a philosophy for myself and my coaching clients), that we’ve normalized as society for pregnancy–trust your instincts, eat what you’re craving–even if that means sugar, the “bad stuff”, salty things, or extra calories. Your body knows what it needs, and with proper maintenance and balance (including regular whole foods cleansing especially to keep sugar and carb addictions at bay and promote a super healthy gut)…will make the right choices, over a given day or week. I want to explore this in another full post, because I’ve found that for myself, and many of us with body-image challenges before kids/pregnancy, this time can be both singularly challenging/opening old cans of worms–and beautifully healing–leading us away from a shameful or resentful attitude towards food and body, towards mindful fueling, appreciating all that it is capable of–creating and sustaining a new life. Motherhood truly and literally changed my experience of self-image, self-acceptance and love–and I’ll be forever grateful. If you want another post fully on that topic (it’s in the works but lower on the list)–I’d love to hear in the comments…and your thoughts as well.

So, back to snacking. I decided to give a roundup of some of my favorite pregnancy snacks–it’s obviously on my mind, and I do get questions alot about how best to manage protein intake, cravings, potentially restricted diets, blood sugar (yikes, as someone with a history of borderline Gestational diabetes in my first pregnancy, this one is important!), and more.

So, here’s a few tried and true favorites. And back to the pickles and ice-cream, yes, it’s a good idea to keep them stocked–olives are another one that are commonly craved because of the intensity of saltiness/vinegar etc. And sometimes, we’ll crave sugar or sweet things, and I like to have small bites of ice-cream, and dark chocolate—the good stuff, in moderation, is good. Our bodies are working hard to metabolize for and feed another human, so if a little extra sodium or sugar is needed, so be it.

I also included in this pic above, a few of my other go-tos, to have around. Kombucha is a fun treat–I will have it 1-2 times per week. More than that, the health benefits of it can backfire…better to stick with a good probiotic.

The vitalizer strip–maximal energy, digestion support, B vitamins, 80 bio-optimized nutrients. I rave more about it here. 6 years in, it’s been my daily pre-natal and post-natal for now 3 pregnancies, and I can’t imagine life without it–they just keep getting easier, and I feel healthier (and my blood markers show I’m healthier) than when I started having kids 8 years ago. This is the opposite of post-natal depletion which is so common…and I’m just so grateful and can’t keep my mouth shut about it:)

Finally, the pomegranate energizing tea. Any other pregnant mommas need a daily pick me up around 2pm? If I don’t take a quick power nap then (or even if I do)–I swear by this tea–I also mix it with my hydrate drink for pregnancy workout perfection. It has less caffeine than a cup of tea, and less sugar than…an apple (well, it’s sweetened slightly with stevia). The good stuff, my friends. If you mix it with seltzer water it’s like a refreshing pomegranate soda.

Now, on to the snacks.

This is a current favorite: any one else love baba ghannouj? It’s the lesser known “cousin” of hummus–made from eggplant, and often chickpeas are included, along with tahini, lemon juice, garlic. This is a locally sourced one, and you want to be selective–not all pre-made brands taste the same. You can also make your own if you have the patience. It’s just so tasty. I eat it with veggies—peppers usually, and sometimes corn chips–these are a special tequila variation from whole foods–since I can’t have my tequila in liquid form, I guess that’s what sounded good…

Did you know eggplants contain folic acid, iron, potassium and other key minerals? It’s a great source of dietary fiber and Vitamin E, A and C. A word: you don’t want to consume large amounts of this food until close to the time of birth–supposedly eggplant can help stimulate uterine contractions when consumed in larger amounts…keep that in mind for when you’re at 40 weeks:)

Pineapple. Easy, tasty snack. Great for kids/toddlers if you have any of those around, and I find myself loving and craving this during pregnancy. Great news about pineapple–it’s an alkalanizing food, chock full of nutrients, and is actually known to be especially important and helpful for toning and strengthening the uterus! Because it contains an enzyme called Bromelain. Sounds like a pregnancy winner. I have a friend who swears by pineapple shakes every day for the last month of pregnancy–her uterus was so toned she gave birth to their baby at home before they could even make it out the door to the hospital…how’s that for a testimony?:) This also makes it a key postpartum/recovery fruit to have around as well, when the uterus needs more…toning.

Almond butter and dates, sprinkled with cinnamon. This is a sure-fire snack hitting alot of the common needs of 2nd and 3rd trimester–protein (almond butter), something slightly sweet that doesn’t spike blood sugar but gives energy (dates), they also help with keeping us regular, and the cinnamon on top is known for balancing blood sugar. Super satisfying…and you may have your little ones begging for them too. Dates can also help with labor effectiveness when the time comes–who doesn’t want that?

 

I don’t know about you–but my main cravings in the first 2 trimesters involve protein. Baby needs SO much of it every day, and if you’re under dietary limitations, or are dairy free (me!) that takes cheese, yogurt milk and lots of other high protein foods out of the equation. I have an awesome Calcium and magnesium supplement to cover my calcium needs…I’m also a semi-vegetarian, meaning I only eat meat when I crave it (lots of fish and lots of bone broth for mineral benefits)…so daily shakes in pregnancy really help me not only have great nutrition on the go (read–quick shake brought in the car to school pick up, or a before dinner snack to ward off hunger/nausea), but also to get me up to that desirable 75g of protein per day for mom and baby needs! A single shake has 20 grams of non-GMO, high quality plant protein (with 1g or less of sugar!) before adding in any additions like PB, milk, chia seeds, etc. Luckily, this baby loves shakes too, I crave them often and they keep me full at those odd times of day when perhaps you don’t want to be having other snacks (or late at night in place of ice-cream!).

Finally, these protein balls are more of the same: super protein packed, plus tons of healthy fats, and you can make them with different mix-ins to always keep things interesting. If you’re like me, the faster the snack is to grab, the better!

Cheers pregnant mommas, happy snacking! Share your favorites below, and we’ll keep right on hoarding our pickles, olives, and ice-cream. Just because we can. YOLO.

Posted on

Super food bars–perfect after school snack

So, how to feed the ravenous little mouths during the afternoon hours…

I posted a round-up of some fun new after school snacks that we’re experimenting with (5 ingredients or less, super fast and healthy mommas, because no guilt should be involved)….that’s here–you have to smile at the video involved…crazy.

But…for those who like to spend time making snacks ahead for the week or whose kids are patient while said snacks are being made…here’s a good one! I decided to whip up this recipe the other day when I had dates and a few other things around–I’m all about spontaneous recipe creation–and I have to taste test it first before sharing here, but this one stood up to both my approval, Ambrose’ grabbed it and was crunching it while I was snapping photos, and Corinne said she liked it–but not that much, meaning, she also wanted to have her other snacks!

It makes for a great pregnancy snack as well…with the dates and honey as sweeteners, protein from almond butter and chia, and the fiber of the chia, sunflower seeds and oats. Sunflower seeds also provide magnesium which is key for calming both kids and mommas:)

I’ve seen wellness mama and others do similar ideas for homemade granola bars, but I like the softer texture of this one, and I think the dates and coconut etc help keep it interesting, texture wise.  You’ll have to let me know what you and your kids think!

Super food (date–honey–oat–sunflower–chia) bars

Set oven to 300. Grease a round or square 9 in dish, I used coconut oil.

1 cup whole pitted dates–you can put these in a food processor first if you wish. I was lazy and just let the kitchenaid do the blending–it worked great once the other soft ingredients were in there.

1 tbsp coconut oil

1/3 c. organic (local if possible) honey

1/4 cup almond butter (use sunflower seed butter if you need it to be nut-free for school)

2 cups organic oats

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/4 cup organic chia seeds

optional: coconut flakes raisins, mini choc chips

Blend dates with the other “wet ingredients”…add in dry ingredients one at a time, stirring–kitchenaid stand mixer is ideal for this, but even an oldfashioned spoon will work (or hand blender) so long as it forms a nice soft doughy and well blended texture.

Spread into pan, and bake for 20-30 min–checking in the final minutes to see that it’s browning slightly on top, and that texture is as desired.

Serve warm,  room temp, or cool—your preference….and happy snacking!!!

Posted on

The Best Prenatal on the planet. Here’s why.

When I was pregnant with my first, I went and picked out a prenatal bottle from GNC…the moment of a rite of passage for so many mothers.
I was pretty health conscious at the time, ate my veggies, shopped at the local food market, etc…BUT…hadn’t a clue how to pick the best supplements for me and baby.

I think I picked the one with the prettiest label. It made me feel naseous, especially if I took it on an empty stomach or too early in the day. That is a common complaint I hear from friends and often has to do with the amount of iron and how well (or poorly) formulated it is. The iron in a pre-natal should be absorbable, and not soo harsh that it hurts our stomach or makes us even sicker than we need to be!

I don’t think I felt any more energized when taking the pre-natal. I managed to have a great first pregnancy in many ways, but besides walking I really didn’t have any fitness incorporated in, and I was diagnosed as borderline gestational diabetic so I followed the recommendations for the GD diet, and was more conscious of walking during the 2nd half of the pregnancy. Since I wasn’t old, or overweight in starting out the pregnancy, it was a tough diagnosis to receive, and most especially because they told me that I would almost be certain to have GD in all subsequent pregnancies, and much more likely to become diabetic sooner than later.

Well, fast forward to 2 Shaklee pregnancies later, I have had no signs of GD in either one; I’ve been conscious of being very active, and the supplements and shakes (low-glycemic, super high quality protein) have helped tremendously. I’m thrilled to share this with other moms, and so many of them have had amazing, very energized pregnancies, no issues, complications, and in a few cases, even resolving severe anemia during pregnancy etc due to the absorption quality of this vita-strip, something that has it’s own patent.

One of my other friends was a bit more saavy with picking out her pre-natal. She went to whole foods and got an Organic whole foods based pre-natals that were highly recommended, etc.

Well, turns out, those same whole food based prenatal showed up on a list of prenatals and kids vits that have higher than acceptable amounts of lead in them. Yes, Lead. Why? Do you ask? Good question.

The industry of supplements can be fairly unregulated, so it’s SO important to find a brand with transparency, science, peer-reviewed studies and more, so you know you’re getting exactly what it says on the label, plus more.

You can see that review of lead in prenatal brands, here…and learn more about the Shaklee difference that we’re so confident in here:

The scientists behind our pre-natal research and the Prenatal products, specifically Vitalizer, share their recommendations here:

http://http://shaklee.tv/10-nutrients-for-a-healthy-pregnancy

They go into the details on why the Vitalizer has been updated with extra Folic Acid, Iodine, EPA, DHA and other important nutrients in keeping with the most updated research on healthy pregnancies.

But after all this, don’t just take my word for it. When we had an OB who’s been using Shaklee in his practice for 40 years come and speak to us, he said using Shaklee supplements was in his experience, the BEST prevention for pre-term labors, and he had all the stats to back it up.

Here are some fantastic testimonies from midwives, mothers and others who have witnessed the effect of Shaklee supplementation on pregnancies.

“After discovering I had gestational diabetes during my 3rd pregnancy, I turned to Shaklee for HELP.  Using Shaklee vitamins and Meal Shakes, I not only had a beautiful baby boy naturally (apgar score 10), but I also had minimal healthly weight gain.  Thanks to Shaklee, my fears of insulin dependency, baby complications and weight gain were turned into a positive experience.”

-Colleen Demusz, Philadelphia, PA 

“I was first introduced to Shaklee by my Mother-in-law, Veronica LaMena. She gave me a little bottle of cleaning wonder- Shaklee Basic H.  I loved the fact that it didn’t have a potent odor and I could clean anything with it!! As the years went by, I began using more and more Shaklee products.

When I found out that my husband and I were expecting our second child, I didn’t want to use the typical prenatal vitamins I had used with our first child.  I did not have a great experience with them.  As a Registered Nurse, I knew what I needed to have a healthy pregnancy.  I took my daily Shaklee Vita-Lea multi, GLA Plus, OmegaGuard and Calcium Complex just to name a few.  My skin was glowing and I felt incredible!  I trusted Shaklee to nourish me and my baby the way we deserved to be!  To this day, and every day, my family and I will continue to trust Shaklee to promote our health and well being!”

-Nicole LaMena, Southampton, PA

“I had been using Shaklee for 24 years before I was pregnant with my first child.  Before and while pregnant, I had a soy shake every morning for breakfast, Vita Lea (2), B Complex (2), OsteoMatrix (4), Vita C (2).

I was NEVER nauseous, never constipated, no leg cramps (midwife recommended I take the OsteoMatrix before bed to fend off any leg cramps), no heartburn, stretch-marks, etc.  Outside of some fluid retention (should have taken Alfalfa!) I really felt no different than when I wasn’t pregnant.  Had easy, quick labor and delivery and an 8 1/2 lb healthy baby just a few days from her due date.  (I would also highly recommend GLA at end of pregnancy.)  When I was pregnant with my son, 2 years later, I added Optiflora, OmegaGuard (3), and Alfalfa (10) to the above supplements.  I gained 10 lbs less – I think from not retaining any water – Alfalfa worked! Still no “pregnancy side-effects”, very fast delivery and an 8 lb full-term baby.  I loved being pregnant, actually!  🙂  I continued all of the above while nursing.  (My midwife said alfalfa was good for cow’s milk and it’s good for our milk, too!)

I took my bottles in for my midwife to check doses.  By the end of my pregnancy I think I was taking 6 OsteoMatrix, for example.  She actually tried to get me to fill a prescription for pre-natals, saying that I didn’t need to be taking  individual pills, but I knew my body was actually absorbing and utilizing what was in the Shaklee vitamins (and I was used to taking them).  Plus, they were all natural, unlike many prescription pre-natals.  I had compared them with my friends’ pre-natals and Shaklee was so much more complete than they were!  It’s funny how many times someone will ask me, “Does Shaklee have a prenatal?”  as if just because it’s a prescription multi-vitamin it must be better than others.  You can’t get any better than Shaklee!!”

-Jennifer Doran

“Before taking Shaklee I was always tired, constipated and couldn’t eat anything without heartburn.  Then I was diagnosed with Epstein Barr Syndrome.  “Dr. Mom” introduced me to Shaklee and I noticed I was staying awake longer and felt better. I’ve been faithful to Shaklee ever since, and even used the vitamins during my pregnancies.  I was home from the hospital early with each C-section and back to normal within 2 weeks.”             –

Kris Gilchrist (daughter-in-law), Washington Crossing, PA 

“When I got pregnant I was diagnosed with anemia and had morning sickness and had been given horrible iron pills by my doc on top of the prenatal chemical-filled “vitamins” they prescribed then.  My mom was just new to Shaklee but convinced me of its merits (thanks mom!) and I took Shaklee instead.  To this day I swear that my son’s healthy teeth (something my family struggles with) are because I used Shaklee supplements and especially the Shaklee calcium.  He never had a cavity until he reached his 30’s and then it was only one.  His teeth are straight, white and healthy, something I was not blessed with, nor my grandparents that’s for sure!  He continued taking Shaklee supplements throughout childhood.

I wouldn’t be pregnant without taking Shaklee supplements…and actually if you are thinking about becoming pregnant, make sure both parents are taking the supplements at least a month before actually beoming pregnant and beyond.  The health of both parents before pregancy is critical. You will be very pleased and grateful you did!  I know I am…”

-Nancy Tharp

 

“My name is Terry Gyde. I have 18 years experience in helping women through childbirth and have seen what poor nutrition can do to a Mom and baby. This has compelled me to help Moms find the best nutrition they can get for them and their baby. Doctor prescribed pre-natal vitamins are most times more harmful than they are good. Most vitamins do not break down in your system in time to release the nutrients you need to produce a healthy baby. Many of them contain harmful substances.

What proof have I seen? I first started noticing the difference in the placenta. Compared to those who took Dr. prescribed or health food store vitamins, the Shaklee placentas were bigger, thicker, stayed intact until time of pushing, released quicker, and had no calcification or signs of aging. The umbilical cords were also thicker and healthier looking. The babies have more vernex on them at 40 weeks gestation than those using other types of vitamins. What does this mean? Babies are born healthy! Moms feel better! There is less need for C-sections and other medical interventions.

You can carry on this great care for your baby by choosing Shaklee Infant vitamins. I have seen babies who take them have less severe illnesses. Babies sharing the same nursery, catching the same bug with much different outcomes! While the other babies are having high fevers, dehydration, and hospitalization, Shaklee babies are usually experiencing mild cold symptoms. Big difference! They are also more developmentally advanced.  Why give your baby anything else?

Infertility can also be due to poor nutrition. It takes time for your body to grow new healthy cells. Taking the Shaklee Vitalizer and Energizing Protein on a daily basis for 6 months prior to conception could make a big difference! Try it! What have you got to lose? Shaklee is a guaranteed product. If you don’t feel better in 30 days, you can get your money refunded.

Shaklee suggests taking at least: 2 Vita-Lea Multivitamin, 1 B-Complex, and 1 Calcium Complex daily during pregnancy.  The Shaklee Vitalizer Strip provides these nutrients and also the omega-3 fatty acids known to be crucial in fetal brain development.

In today’s society we eat less nutritious foods due to both lack of time for preparation and the conditions of the food we purchase. Preservatives, pesticides and dyes are also enemies to our bodies. Without the proper nutrients our bodies cannot get rid of the harmful substances we put in them. All of this leads to poor nutrition, without us even realizing it. Don’t take chances with your future. Start a Shaklee supplement program today!” Terry Gyde – midwife